www.dioceseofstasaph.org.uk
Sharing Good News with the Family of the Diocese
April/May 2013
The future of Church?
INSIDE •Cashback on your Parish Share . . . . p6 •Britain in Poverty our report on Foodbanks . . . . . p8
Our new Steering Groups have a different vision... Continued on page 4 . . .
•And your Pilgrim's Pullout as we countdown to May 5th . . . . . . p11
Yng nghanol Washington, mae parc yn llawn cofebion - yn bennaf i arlywyddion a fu farw ac i goffau rhyfeloedd. Un o’r rhai mwyaf trawiadol, yn fy mhrofiad i, yw’r gofeb i Ryfel Fietnam. Mae’n cynnwys llwybr syml sy’n rhedeg ochr yn ochr â wal farmor ddu. Mae’r cyfan yn dechrau yn ddigon diniwed, gyda’r wal prin yn cyrraedd eich fferau, ond er hynny mae’n nodi enwau’r Americanwyr cyntaf a gollwyd yn y rhyfel. Serch hynny, mae’r llwybr yn mynd ar i lawr, gyda’r wal yn cadw ar uchder cyson, ac erbyn i chi gyrraedd hanner ffordd, mae’r wal yn uchel uwch eich pen, ac mae enwau’r meirwon yn eich llorio wrth i chi eu gweld yn rheseidiau uwch eich pen. Wrth gerdded ymlaen, a dim ond pan ddechreuodd yr Unol Daleithiau gilio o Fietnam y mae’r llwybr yn dechrau codi, a’r wal fel petai hi’n dechrau gostwng o safbwynt y gwyliwr. Mae’n ffordd gymhellgar ac ingol o’n hatgoffa ei bod yn hawdd dechrau rhyfeloedd, ac yn anodd dod â chenedl ohonyn nhw. Mae’r gofeb yn ffordd rymus a thrawiadol iawn o’n hatgoffa o’r bywydau a gollwyd - rhestrir pob Americanwr a gollwyd yn Fietnam, ond byddai rhestr ddi-ben-draw o rai eraill, yn bobl Fietnam, y gellid ychwanegu eu henwau. Ac mae’n wers sy’n fwy llym byth am nad yw hi’n cael ei dysgu, fel mae Iraq ac Afghanistan yn fodd o’n hatgoffa. Yng Nghristnogaeth Uniongred y Dwyrain, mae’n anarferol gweld eicon o’r Pasg dan y teitl “yr Atgyfodiad” – yn hytrach, fe’i gelwir yn “Gwymp i Uffern” –
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ac mae’n ein hatgoffa mai un o gredoau creiddiol Cristnogaeth yw bod Crist wedi mynd i ddyfnderoedd pellaf y bydysawd ysbrydol – nid fel carcharor, ond fel concwerwr, pan fu farw. Yn yr eicon dwyreiniol, mae Crist wrthi’n troi tuag at atgyfodi, ac yn sathru ar giatiau uffern, sy’n ffurfio arwydd y Groes mewn gweithred symbolaidd. Yn ei ddwylo, mae’n gafael yn Adda ac Efa, gan godi i fywyd a hawlio’r ddynoliaeth gyfan a’u cludo gydag ef i’r addewid o fywyd tragwyddol. Mae enwau pawb ohonom wedi eu hysgythru ar y llwybr sy’n mynd ar i lawr, ac ar ei atgyfodiad: mae holl breswylwyr y Jerwsalem nefol, o dragwyddoldeb a hyd dragwyddoldeb, wedi eu hysgythru’n symbolaidd gan nod yr hoelion yng nghledrau ei ddwylo. Mae’r Cristion yn honni fod Crist yn dod gyda ni ar ein pererindod ein hunain, yn mynd gyda ni i unrhyw ddyfroedd dyfnion y cawn ni ein hunain ynddyn nhw, gan ein galw a’n harwain i’r goleuni. A chan ddilyn ei esiampl, mae Cristnogion a’r Eglwys yn aml wedi bod ar eu tebycaf i Grist pan maen nhw’n ddigon dewr i deithio ochr yn ochr ag unrhyw un a phob un sy’n cerdded yng nglyn cysgod angau, sut bynnag y dehonglir hynny. Os ydych chi’n rhodio yn y tywyllwch, fy ngweddi yw y bydd Duw yn cerdded gyda chi. Os ydych chi'n cerdded yng ngoleuni Crist, yna ewch â’r goleuni hwnnw i ble bynnag y bydd tywyllwch neu anghyfiawnder neu drais yn bygwth, a boed i oleuni’r Pasg godi ym mywydau pawb ohonom.
Seion… nid anghofiaf fi di. Edrych, 'rwyf wedi dy gerfio ar gledr fy nwylo. (Eseia 49.14-16) Jerusalem, I can never forget you! I have written your name on the palms of my hands. (Isaiah 49.16) In the centre of Washington, there is a park full of monuments – mainly to dead presidents and to wars. One of the most moving, in my experience, is the memorial to the Vietnam War. It is a simple path that runs alongside a black marble wall. It all starts innocently enough, the wall is barely ankle height, but even so it records the names of the earliest American casualties in the war. However, the path winds downwards, and the wall retains its original height, so that by the time you are halfway through, the wall towers above your head, and you are overwhelmed by the names of the dead almost literally piled above you. You walk on, and only as the United States begins to withdraw from Vietnam does the path begin to rise, and the height of the wall fall relative to the observer. It is a compelling and poignant reminder that it is easy to start wars, and hard to extricate a nation from them. The memorial is a powerful and stark reminder of lives lost – every American citizen lost in Vietnam is listed, but there would be countless others, Vietnamese, who could be added. And it is a lesson made all the sharper by not being learned, as Iraq and Afghanistan remind us. In Eastern Orthodoxy, it is rare that you will find an icon of Easter entitled “the Resurrection” – rather it is named “the Descent into Hell” – and it is a reminder that one of the core beliefs of Christianity is that when Christ died, he descended to the very depths of the spiritual universe –
not a prisoner, but as conqueror. In the eastern icon, Christ is in the action of turning towards resurrection, and trampling down the gates of hell which symbolically make the sign of the Cross. And in his hands, he grasps Adam and Eve, rising to life and claiming all humanity to bring them up with him to the promise of eternal life. All our names are engraved on the path of his descent, and of his resurrection: all the inhabitants of the heavenly Jerusalem, from eternity and to eternity, are symbolically engraved by the mark of the nails in his palms. The Christian claim is that Christ accompanies in our own pilgrimage, with us even into any depths we are plunged, calling us and leading us to the light. And following his example, Christians and the Church have often been at their most Christ-like when they are bold enough to travel alongside any and all who walk in the valley of the shadow of death, however interpreted. If you walk in darkness, my prayer is that God will walk with you. If you walk in the light of Christ, then carry that light into wherever darkness or injustice or violence threaten and may the light of Easter rise in all our lives.
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Introducing the Diocesan Steering Groups Too
often the perception – and sometimes the reality – of Church life is declining congregations, crumbling buildings and places of worship that have closed for the last time. Now we’ve launched a brand new way of overseeing every area of Church life to make sure we can approach the next ten years positively. We want to ensure the Diocese of St Asaph moves forward in the next decade by making the best use of our people, our resources and our time. How are we going to do this? With our new Diocesan Steering Groups. Previously the different areas of Church life were overseen by a variety of boards. Each board would look at a particular brief but there was little interaction between them and most people attending Church didn’t know much about the work they did – or that they existed at all! The majority of the boards have now been disbanded and instead we have three Steering Groups which will look after Church life. These groups meet on the same day at the same location which allows all areas of Church life to come together and make sure they are communicating with one another and encouraging one another. It also means everyone knows what’s going on.
What do the Steering Groups do? Each of the three groups has a mission
statement which sums up what they are looking to achieve in the life of the Diocese. Developing “To develop and maintain a culture within the diocese of St Asaph which encourages excellence in ministry grounded in a robust theology of the discipleship and ministry of the whole people of God.”
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Nurturing “To nurture the faith development and spirituality of children and young people throughout the diocese in schools, colleges, parishes and deaneries. To provide and develop a stimulating programme of training opportunities for lay people to support their involvement in the life of the church.” Engaging “To stimulate and resource churches and church members to speak and act the gospel in the world.” The groups met for the first time in March at St Margaret’s Church in Wrexham. As each group fed back to the wider gathering what they had been discussing, one thing was clear. There is a recognised need to train, equip and empower people in every area of Church life to recognise their calling and serve God in their locality. The Developing Steering Group came up with a statement that sums up their mission in this process. They want to encourage everyone in our Churches to move from “dependency to discipleship”. The Nurturing Steering Group spent their time together talking about what they need to do to inspire and engage. Initially they will spend time discerning the needs of people to help them to fulfil their potential. They also plan to share good practice and increase links with nonChurch schools.
The Engaging Steering Group plan to focus on Justice, Inclusion, Sustainability and Communication. They have identified ways to achieve this over the next 1, 2 and 5 years, recognising this will be an evolving process.
Bishop Gregory: We must never exist for ourselves Bishop Gregory also attended this first meeting and shared a reflection with the Groups, explaining that what they are modelling is both profound and theologically true. He explained that just as God is relationship in the Trinity, so the relationship between our Steering Groups must flow, one into the other. He added: “We are called to venture into the vastness of God and participate in the dance, drawing on divine energy as well as one another, giving and receiving.”
The Bishop also shared four priorities that he hopes will shape Church life in the Diocese of St Asaph through these new Steering Groups. These are: Deepening our Discipleship, Increasing Participation, Identifying and Developing Future Leadership and Extending God’s Welcome. He concluded: “We need to be growing in faith and discipleship and the Developing and Nurturing Groups can teach us how to learn, grow and travel. But we must never exist for ourselves – we need the Engaging Group to speak to the world about Christ.” To ensure that you know what’s going on in the life of the Church, we will offer regular reports on the work of the Steering Groups. Please pray for us and support us as we develop this way of shaping our vision for the future.
Charity winners host Cathedral concert St Asaph Cathedral will welcome the East of England Singers on Saturday 4 May for a concert to raise money for St Kentigern’s Hospice. The Hospice is the first charity to win the Cathedral’s annual competition to offer the building free of charge and have chosen to hold a concert as their event. The East of England Singers formed in 1985 and are visiting St Asaph on their tour of Wales. Tickets for the concert are £5 and the show starts at 7.30pm. Meanwhile the Dean is now launching this year’s competition which will allow a charitable organisation to hold an event or concert at the Cathedral in 2014. The closing date for applications is Monday 30 September and the application form can be found on the Cathedral website.
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Diocese offers cashback on Parish Share Are you sick of paying your Parish Share on time, every time and getting no thanks from the Diocese? Do you think it’s all take and no give at Diocesan level? Well, help is at hand. Under a new initiative from the Diocesan Board of Finance, parishes that are willing to pay their 2013 Share in full by Standing Order monthly or every three months will receive 2% of their money back in cash next year. Simply put, if your Parish Share is £20,000, you have no debts and you pay in full during 2013, the Diocese will pay you £400 (2% of the Share) in January as a “thank you”. Now, it will work a little differently for those parishes who are trying to pay off historic Parish Share. A parish that pays the 2013 Share in full and clears 100% of their debt by January 2014 will receive a 2% rebate and a 10% refund on Category Parish Position
the arrears they have cleared. If a parish pays in full in 2013 and clears 50% in arrears this year they will receive the 2% rebate plus a 5% refund on the cleared debt to go towards paying the rest. Finally, parishes that pay the 2013 Share in full and clear 20% of their debt will receive a 2% rebate offset against their outstanding arrears. The table below explains it in more detail. The offer of a refund on Parish Share debt is a one-off for 2013 only. To qualify for this scheme, parishes must sign up to it in time to pay the Standing Order for the second quarter of 2013 by Friday 21 June. The first quarter’s Share must have been paid in full. Look out for your parish’s personalised “Parish Share Pack” which will be delivered to your Treasurer or Warden in the coming weeks. Rebate Offered Parish receives 2% cashback paid by cheque in January 2014
A
Parish has no debt and pays the 2013 Share in full by quarterly Standing Order
B
Parish pays the 2013 Share in full Parish receives a rebate of 2% in January 2014 and a 10% refund on the by quarterly Standing Order and clears 100% of outstanding arrears debt that has been cleared by 07/01/2014
C
Parish pays the 2013 Share in full by quarterly Standing Order and clears 50% of outstanding arrears by 07/01/2014
Parish receives a rebate of 2% in January 2014 and a 5% refund on the debt that has been cleared. This will be offset against the outstanding arrears
D
Parish pays the 2013 Share in full by quarterly Standing Order and clears 20% of outstanding arrears by 07/01/2014
Parish receives a rebate of 2% in January 2014 which will be offset against the outstanding arrears
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Church News • Newyddion yr Eglwys Cathedral remembers former Dean A special Evensong was held in St Asaph in March to remember former Dean of the Cathedral the Very Revd Thomas Richard Kerry Goulstone who has died at the age of 76. Mr Goulstone was known as Kerry and served as Dean of St Asaph between 1993 and 2001. The service included his favourite musical settings and anthems sung by the Cathedral choir. Revd Prebendary Bob Griffiths led the prayers – he was Vicar of St Asaph at the time Mr Goulstone began his ministry as Dean. He was also Dean when the Very Revd Nigel Williams – current Dean of the Cathedral – was first ordained. Paying tribute to one of his predecessor’s, Nigel said: “As Dean of St Asaph, Kerry Goulstone steered the Cathedral through very challenging times and worked tirelessly to have the organ rebuilt and delicate work done to the building. He is remembered in the City and the Diocese with affection.” The Very Revd Kerry Goulstone retired to Burry Port in 2001. Before he served as Dean in St Asaph he was Vicar of Burry Port, Gorslas and Pwll and also Archdeacon of Carmarthen.
Priests take on new duties in Holywell Revds Brian Harvey and Graham Beckett have taken on new roles in the Deanery of Holywell. Brian has taken on the Parish of Bagillt and will serve as Priest-in-Charge. This is in addition to his ministry as Rector of the neighbouring Parish of Flint. Brian was inducted to Bagillt on Wednesday 20 February.
Meanwhile Area Dean Graham has become Priest in Charge of Mostyn after his licensing on Thursday 7 March. Other members of the ministry team at Mostyn include the Revd Sue Moriarty and Fr Brian Taylor, a former parish priest there until his retirement in 2008. Commenting on the new grouping for Mostyn, Bishop Gregory said: “This new pastoral grouping of Mostyn with the Gorsedd group of parishes gives them the wise and sensitive leadership of one of our senior parish clergy, The Revd Graham Beckett, and the services of a familiar friend, Fr Brian Taylor. I wish them every success in this new phase of their congregational life.”
New Reader for St Mary’s St Mary’s Church in Towyn have welcomed a new Reader. Jean Wilson will serve there after a special service to welcome her to this lay ministry on Sunday 3 March.
Previously a Reader at St John’s Chrysostom, Everton in the Liverpool Diocese, Jean’s links to North Wales drew her to Towyn where she has been attending St Mary’s on and off since 1995. Meanwhile people attending services at St Mary’s can now enjoy a brand new audio system which includes a loop system that helps deaf people to hear the whole service. A grant from the Welsh Assembly Government’s North Wales Coast Regeneration Area Fund has helped to pay for these new facilities.
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Foodbanks It might be a shock to hear, but poverty and hunger isn’t confined to the developing world. In fact, it’s in a neighbourhood near you. The problem is getting so bad that there are now 300 foodbanks across the UK including one in Wrexham, one in Denbigh and a huge county-wide one in Flintshire which is based in Mold. Volunteers Sheila and Sandra from Flintshire Foodbank Since it started work in April 2012 the Flintshire Foodbank has distrib- ber is expected to grow steeply this year uted more than 2000 emergency food with the changes to benefits and inparcels to people across the county. As creased heating costs. Retired vicar Revd Alan Suter helps out at the Flintshire Foodbank and he says there are a whole host of reasons why an individual or a family might rely on a food parcel. “Sometimes there are delays in wages and benefit payments” he explains. “Then there is unemployment, sickness, low incomes, the absence of free school meals Peter Dorricott, Director of Flintshire Foodbank during holidays and homelessness which the economy continues to struggle and all contributes to the hunger crisis hitting the cost of living continues to increase, it’s north Wales and all of Britain. not just pensioners and those relying on “As the numbers going hungry grow, so benefits who are struggling, but also families. Increasingly foodbanks are helping hard working people who are left without food once the rent and the heating bills have been paid. Foodbanks, under the auspices of The Trussell Trust are run by volunteers and have been set up to meet this crisis. In 2012 they provided help to 128,000 people and the num-
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will the need for more foodbanks, including more in our own Diocese. But until more are set up, as a church, we need to provide more resources for those already operating.” Peter Dorricott is Director of the Flintshire Foodbank. The sheer volume of food they need to store to meet the need in Flintshire means that since they opened last year the waiting room has got smaller and the storeroom has got bigger. Volunteers Shane and Paul from Flintshire foodbank The foodbank opens on a Tuesday doing presentations and meeting people and a Friday for four hours and gives out to get the news about the foodbank into between 40 and 60 food parcels a week. the community.” Peter is a member of Kings Church in Every couple of weeks the team travel to Mold. a local supermarket and encourage peo“We set ourselves a target of helping ple to donate food items to the foodbank 1000 people in the first year,” he recalls. by buying a couple of extra items as part “We’re at 2000 already and we’re not of their weekly shop. even 12 months old yet. In the future we Bishop Gregory recognises the importance hope we can become the Flintshire ware- of the work that’s being done, adding: house and then we can have satellite “In these straitened economic times there foodbank stations around the County for are many who struggle even to put food people to use.” on the table. The need for crisis food is All those who work at the foodbank are growing and a foodbank can provide a volunteers and many are attached to local practical community lifeline to those in churches. Peter explains that it’s very desperate need of emergency food and support. much a faith based initiative. “We’ve got one or two who have started “I warmly welcome the growing number coming to Church on the back of this,” he of food bank initiatives in our area and explains. “We don’t push religion or poli- encourage churches to consider supporttics but if someone asks a question about ing their nearest foodbank as an expreswhy we are doing this, then that’s differ- sion of our solidarity with the most needy ent. I feel I am here to do God’s pur- and vulnerable in our communities.” poses.” How does a foodbank work? The Flintshire Foodbank was the first one 1. Non-perishable food is donated by the to be set up in North Wales and the team public in Mold are delighted to have received 2. Volunteers sort and pack food into funding from Comic Relief to support a emergency boxes part time worker. 3. Frontline care professionals (doctors, “They wanted to fund an outreach worker social workers, the police etc.) give so we put together a proposition for a foodbank vouchers to people in crisis rural development officer who started 4. Foodbank vouchers are exchanged for work in January,” Peter reflects. “She 3 days of food at the foodbank works three days a week and goes out
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5. Foodbank volunteers take time to listen to and signpost clients to further support
How can my church help? 1. Ask church members to add a few tins and packets for the foodbank when they go to the supermarket, bring them to church and then the items donated can be The Wrexham Foodbank collecting at a supermarket taken to the nearest foodbank. Many churches are already doing this, and others can start. • Fruit Juice (carton, non perishable) 2. Set up more foodbanks in the Diocese; • Soup the Trussell Trust (www.trusselltrust.org) • Pasta sauces • Sponge pudding (tinned) will provide help in doing this. • Tomatoes (tinned) 3. Volunteer to help in existing foodbanks • Cereals – training will be given • Rice Pudding (tinned) 4. Hold a fundraising event • Tea bags/instant coffee
Where's my nearest Foodbank? FLINTSHIRE – The Old Chapel, 91 Wrexham Street, Mold, CH7 1ET. 01352 755385 DENBIGH – Lleifior Gernant, Llanrhaeadr, LL16 4YN. 01745 890845 WREXHAM – Salvation Army, Garden Road, Rhosddu, Wrexham, LL11 2NU. 07828 134659 WELSHPOOL – under development OSWESTRY – The Kingswell Centre, 9, Arthur Street, Oswestry, SY11 1JN. 07530 213 926 CHESTER – Link-Up Office, Hoole Lighthouse Centre, Westminster Road, Hoole, Chester, CH2 3AU. 01244 343464
What’s Wanted? The foodbanks are always looking for donations of non-perishable food with a good shelf-life. Here’s a list of the staple items: • Milk (UHT or powdered) • Sugar (500g bags)
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• Instant mash potato • Rice/Pasta • Tinned ready meals • Tinned meat/fish • Tinned vegetables/beans • Tinned fruit • Jam • Biscuits or snack bars • Loo roll • Feminine hygiene • Baby food
What can I do? Maybe your Church could arrange for regular collections to be taken to your nearest foodbank, or you could take them to the foodbank yourself? From time to time foodbanks will collect at local supermarkets so look out for them when you are doing your shopping. For more information about the Flintshire Foodbank featured here, visit their website: www.flintshire.foodbank.org.uk or for more information about the Trussell Trust go to: www.trusselltrust.org/foodbank-projects
The Pilgrim’s Pullout For the six editions of Teulu Asaph that coincide with our Year of Pilgrimage, we will have this special feature. It will include your news from the celebrations, special articles linked to the theme of pilgrimage and make you aware of the events that are ongoing. This month we look ahead to our launch weekend on 4-5 May and introduce the Pilgrim’s Staff. There is also the second instalment in our series on RS Thomas by Revd Andrew Sully.
Weekend of events launch Year of Pilgrimage Celebrations to launch our Year of Pilgrimage will begin in style on St Asaph’s Day when the specially commissioned Pilgrim’s Staff arrives at St Asaph Cathedral on a horse and carriage. The launch service as part of Evensong on Sunday 5 May will round off a weekend of celebrations to begin the Year of Pilgrimage. On Saturday 4 May a special Eucharist will take place in Knighton as pilgrim’s from Monmouth Diocese hand the Pilgrim’s Staff to members of St Asaph Diocese. Monmouth declared 2012 a Year of Pilgrimage and Bishop Dominic will ceremonially hand the Staff to Bishop Gregory as St Asaph takes the celebrations forward. On Sunday 5 May a special launch service will take place at St Asaph Cathedral at 3.30pm and pilgrims from around the Diocese are encouraged to come along to celebrate the start of the year.
Pilgrim’s Staff on Wales-wide Journey A special staff has been commissioned by the Diocese ready for our Year of Pilgrimage. Formed from a single piece of holly, the staff includes a hook made from ram’s horn for pilgrims to hang their coats and also includes a scallop shell – the traditional emblem of pilgrimage. It has been created by Keith Price from Llandegla and has already embarked on a Wales-wide journey which will see it visit Holy sites across the country. Pilgrim’s from the Diocese of Monmouth will carry the staff up to mid-Wales ahead of our special launch celebrations in Knighton. From here, Bishop Gregory will carry the staff to Pennant Melangell before it arrives at St Asaph Cathedral by horse and carriage. Archdeacon Chris will then take the staff along the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way and once it has arrived at Bardsey Island it will be brought back to St Asaph by pilgrim’s walking in aid of the “IF” campaign, a project which aims to end world hunger. Commenting on the creation of the staff, Archdeacon Chris who is also Chair of the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way said: “I think it’s a lovely staff, traditionally made out of holly and it’s a really sturdy stick to carry me across North Wales and several other people much further than that.
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“We are hoping that it will go all across Wales in the coming months especially through our Year of Pilgrimage and we hope it will get around as many parishes as possible so that they can all enjoy it as well.” It’s hoped that throughout the Year of Pilgrimage the Staff will visit churches and Holy sites around the Diocese. Pilgrims will be able to take it on their journeys around parishes. If you would like a visit email us at yearofpilgrimage@churchinwales.org.uk
Mural marks start of Pilgrim’s Way A mural has been unveiled at Basingwerk Abbey in Holywell to mark the start of the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way. The six metre long sculpture has been designed by local schoolchildren who worked with artist Neil Dalrymple. It depicts scenes from along the Pilgrim’s Way beginning in the east at Basingwerk Abbey and finishing in the west at Bardsey Island. Groundwork North Wales have overseen the project and helped to secure funding from the Arts Council of Wales to make the mural a reality. On Tuesday 5 March the Mayor of Holywell Councillor Joe Johnson handed out certificates to the students who helped to make the mural and officially unveiled the artwork. Artist Neil Dalrymple (pictured) was delighted to see it all completed and thinks it should stand the test of time: “The mural is made out of high-fired ceramic stonework clay and it’s all coloured with glazes, stains and metal oxide. Each of the five sections have been fired at 1230 centigrade to finish it off.” Jenny Potter came up with the idea for the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way and said: “I’m so excited that this has been put here. I thought we should have something to mark the start of the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way and you can’t miss that. “I’m hoping visitors to Basingwerk Abbey will see the mural and recognise where it goes and want to try out the Pilgrim’s Way for themselves. It’s a great representation of the entire route.” This year, the North Wales Pilgrim's Way will begin on Friday 3 May, arriving on Bardsey Island on Friday 17 May.
Bala plans SWT Pilgrimage Members of the Parish of Bala are going on a pilgrimage to our linked Diocese of South West Tanganyika – well, not all of them! Parishioners Adrian and Hilary Murray are heading to Tanzania as part of Adrian’s medical voluntary work. They will visit the Parish of Milo which is linked with the Parish of Bala as part of our Diocesan link. Vicar the Revd Nia Williams said it will be a “virtual pilgrimage” for the rest of the Parish: “The plans are to collect pictures of our Sunday services, Sunday School, Clwb Beuno,
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Rock Solid and of all kinds of events connected with Christ Church, so that our friends there will be able to learn more about us. “Our two pilgrims will, in turn, come back with photos, videos, and other details about the parish over there. We look forward to seeing their pictures and hearing their reports.” Here’s the full story in Welsh: Plwyf y Bala ar gychwyn ar eu pererindod i Milo, De Orllewin Tanganyika. Na, ddim cweit! Gadewch imi egluro - mae Adrian Murray yn mynd i Tanzania y flwyddyn hon fel rhan o gynllun gwirfoddol ym myd meddygaeth, ac oherwydd ei fod yn ymweld â rhan o’r byd sydd mor agos at Milo - ein Plwyf cyswllt o ran prosiect yr Esgobaeth, mae Hilary am fynd gyda Adrian yr oll ffordd i Tanzania. Ar ôl i Adrian gyflawni ei orchwyl meddygol bydd y ddau yn ymweld â Milo – gyda aelodau plwyf y Bala - yn cuddio yn y cesus trwm! Ie, y gwir ydi na allwn i gyd ffitio i mewn i’r cesus! Serch hynny, ryda ni am bererindta gyda hwy yn ysbrydol a meddyliol – yr oll ffordd i Milo. Efallai y bydd gan ‘Passport Control’ gwyn am hyn! Yr hyn fydd yn digwydd go wir yw y bydd Adrian a Hilary yn cynrychioli Plwyf y Bala ar eu hymweliad â Phlwyf Milo ac yn sefydlu perthynas byw rhyngom fel plwyfi. Mae’r berthynas rhwng y ddau blwyf wedi ei sefydlu eisioes ac ’rydym wedi bod yn rhan o’r ymgyrch i ariannu beiciau a beiciau modur i hyrwyddo teithio yn Esgobaeth De Orllewin Tanganyika . Mae’r cynllun cyfeillgarwch hwn yn gyfle euraidd i ni ddysgu am ein gilydd, am ein heglwysi, am ein hieithoedd, ac am ein diwylliant. Mae cynlluniau i gael lluniau o’n gwasanaethau ar y Sul yn ogystal â lluniau o’r ysgol Sul, Clwb Beuno sef clwb ar ôl ysgol i ddisgyblion ysgol cynradd, hefyd lluniau o glwb ieuenctid - Rock Solid a lluniau o bob math o weithgareddau yn ymwneud â Eglwys Crist. Bydd y cyfan yn gyfle i’n cyfeillion ddysgu mwy amdanom a dod i’n hadnabod. Drwy luniau a anrhegion syml fel pensiliau a llyfrau ’sgwennu a chroes geltaidd bydd Adrian a Hilary yn cyfleu ein heiddgarwch i greu perthynas â’r Eglwys yn Milo. A bydd y ddau bererin yn dod gartra i Eglwys Crist, Y Bala gyda lluniau, fideo, gwybodaeth a hanesion o’r plwyf cyswllt yn Milo. Edrychwn ymlaen i weld y lluniau a chlywed yr hanes.
R. S. Thomas: The Manafon Years In part two of his series celebrating 100 years since the birth of RS Thomas, Revd Andrew Sully takes us through his time in Manafon. The final instalment will focus on the links between his poetry and pilgrimage. In 1942, at 29 years old, R. S. Thomas was appointed Rector of Manafon in Montgomeryshire, just eight miles from legendary Mathrafal, the seat of the princes of the old kingdom of Powys. Manafon stands in a small valley, some 500 feet above sealevel. The Rectory stood on the bank of the river Rhiw, a river which joins the river Severn some 6 miles east. It was the parish of Ieuan Brydydd Hir, Gwallter Mechain and Penfro, in their day talented and noted writers of Wales. Although Welsh was not spoken in the parish, it was still spoken by the farmers who lived in the surrounding hill-country.
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© Copyright of Glyndw ˆ r University
Thomas writes: “Manafon was an eye-opener for me. It was here that I became conscious of the conflict that exists between dream and reality. I was a little bourgeois, well-bred, with the mark of the church and library about me. I had seen this tract of country from the train at dusk through romantic spectacles. I now found myself amongst tough, materialistic, hard-working people, who measured one another by the acre and the pound. It was an old-fashioned area to some extent. When I went there in 1942 there wasn’t a single tractor in the place. The men worked with their hands, hoeing, shearing, gathering hay and cutting the hedges. I remember the solitary beings in the fields hoeing or docking swedes, hour after hour. What was in their minds, I wonder? The question remains unanswered to this day…” Y Llwybrau Gynt (Former Paths), 1972. Translation from Anstey, Sandra; R S Thomas: Selected Prose; 1995. So Manafon had been a shock to Thomas which was reflected in his poem "The Village" which described how small it was. The Rectory, however, was an elegant, late Georgian mansion at the end of a long drive, which in 1942 had no electricity, water was piped from a spring across the river and the cooking was done on an oil stove. It had eleven bedrooms, three bathrooms, and had once had stables, a coach house and a paddock. For Elsie Thomas, these were golden years – the moment she saw the Rectory she felt Part of "The Dance of Life" mural she was in the Garden of Eden. She ran the Sunday School, and had a practical side that endeared her to the parishioners. There was much painting done too, including one of her husband asleep, which she submitted for an exhibition at the Royal Watercolour Society. It was returned with a note saying they did not accept portraits of dead people! In Retired priest the Revd Russell 1951 Elsie began work on what was to become her Owen believes RS Thomas magnum opus, the 98-foot-long allegory The Dance would have suited a Curacy in of Life, intended for the dining room in the nurses’ Rhosymedre rather than being home at Gobowen Orthopaedic Hospital. Opening “spared it” (Teulu Asaph the hospital in 1956, Marina, Duchess of Kent, was Feb/March). astonished at its scale, asking Elsie how many Commenting on the rich people had helped her. choral tradition of Rhosymedre The themes of the painting point us to the lost which included Priest and traditions of mankind, with young women at Composer the Revd JD harvest singing to bees, then the lurking mortality, Edwards who was Vicar loss of innocence and the destruction wrought by between 1843 and 1886 society and science as mankind and machines show Russell said: what they have done to this world and, finally, to “Who knows? RS Thomas’ the need to repair this destruction. Today the mural poetry may have been even is on permanent loan to Glyndw ˆ r University, more glorious if, in his first Curacy, he had been immersed Wrexham, for display in their Centre for Creative Industries, which officially opened in March 2011. in the thrilling, wonderful, Visitors can gain access to the Mural during the heartfelt music of Rhosymedre!” week by going to the main University Reception.
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Spring / Summer Programme 2013
Course
Training Together is a programme of training open to anyone connected with a church in the Diocese of St Asaph, whether they are lay or clergy, a member of the PCC or not. All courses are FREE, unless otherwise stated.
Foundation Course for Church Accountants and Treasurers Presented by ACAT Cost £15
Date & Time
Venue
Saturday 27th April (10 am – 4pm)
Village Hall, Llandrinio
Tuesday 16 April (10am - 12pm)
Diocesan Office, St Asaph
Bookings for this course to: ACAT Administrator, Mansfield Road Baptist Church, Sherwood Rise, Nottingham, NG7 6JN Or www.acat.uk.com
So You're the Treasurer So You’re On The PCC
Wednesday 15th May (6.45pm – 9pm)
Recruitment & Selection of Tuesday 21st May Volunteers and Employees (6.45pm – 9pm) So You’re The PCC Secretary So You’re The Churchwarden
Wednesday 5th June (6.45pm – 9pm)
Tuesday 18th June (6.45pm – 9pm)
St Margaret’s Church, Wrexham
St Margaret’s Church, Wrexham)
St Margaret’s Church, Wrexham
St Margaret’s Church, Wrexham
To Book Your Place: please give your name, phone number, parish name and email address to sianconnelly@churchinwales.org.uk or phone on 01745 532582.
Don’t forget – if you can gather 20 people in a room we’ll bring the Training Together course of your choice to you! You can see a full list of courses available on the Training Together section of the Diocesan website. To request a course in your Parish whether you’re as far north as Llandudno Junction or as far south as Newtown, email Sian Connelly and we’ll bring it to your Church.
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11-year-old Organist for Llanrhos It’s not unusual to hear the organ playing at St Cystennin’s and St Katherine’s churches in the Deanery of Llanrhos. What’s a bit different is the organist – 11year-old Ellis Thomas. The gifted youngster started coming along to Church with his grandmother and soon took over the organ at both Churches which helps him to earn some extra pocket money. His 8-year-old brother Callum is also regularly involved in Church and often reads the lessons at St Cystennin’s. Dad Stephen provided us with the picture of his two sons. Ellis said: “I love the experience and I enjoy playing the different hymns. I hope the parishioners enjoy it and I get good comments from them.” Callum added: “I like doing the readings in church because it gives me experience of reading in public and it teaches me more about Jesus. “The congregation, especially Betty, give me lots of support and tips each week.”
Cathedral Friends support Assistant Organist The latest CD of organ music recorded by Assistant Organist John Hosking has been paid for by the Friends of St Asaph Cathedral. The Friends agreed to loan John the money to pay for the CD to be produced. Sales of
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the CDs which are available at John’s recitals are now being used to pay the money back, while the proceeds will be donated to Cathedral funds. This extra money is being ringfenced to pay for further work on the organ. Dr Rosemary Solbe, Chair of the Cathedral Friends said: “At the last meeting of the Council of the Friends of the Cathedral, tributes were paid to John’s compositions which are beginning to get wider appreciation in other churches and Cathedrals especially since their publication by Chichester Music Press.”
John’s CD is called Variation Amrywiad and is available for £10 on the Regent Records label.
Music Group celebrates 21 years St Cecilia’s Church in Mynydd Isa held its first family service in the local community centre on 19 January 1992. That day their music group was born and they’ve now celebrated their 21st anniversary. The move into the hall allowed for some more informality in the service as well as space for a group of teenagers, and others, with their instruments. An initial trial period of six months was extended and these days
Your News • Eich newyddion chi
St Cecilia’s share the service with deaf friends and a deaf interpreter. Currently there are eight regular members of the band, and over the years 24 people have been involved in singing or playing with the group. Philip Culver who plays the treble recorder said: “At the family service on 17th February 2013 we celebrated the hard work and commitment of members, past and present, with today's congregation. “We sang the hymns used at that first service and shared a celebration cake baked by one of the band.”
Penderfynwyd codi arian yn ein digwyddiad blynyddol sef parasiwtio tedis. Codwyd digon o arian i brynu’r offer ond roedd yn rhaid i ni gael rhywun talentog i ddylunio ac adeiladu’r peth anhygoel yma. Y berson arbennig yma oedd Keith Moulsdale. Dyluniodd Keith yr eglwys o’r cychwyn i’r diwedd. Nawr mae’r eglwys wedi cael ei gorffen gyda cymorth Dian Moulsdale, Judith Williams ac Ann Bridges. Mae ganddi allor, caderiau , matiau phenlinio, tŵr gyda cloch ty mewn iddi, ffenestri lliw, gwisg ficer i blentyn bach, ddwy canhwyllbren, cwpan cymun, plât a beibl. Rwyf eisiau bod yn dair oed eto er mwyn cael chwarae ynddi!
Play Church opens in Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd The following article has come from 11 year old Beth Morris from Ss Cynfarch and Mary’s Church and outlines the opening of a small play church to encourage children’s Eucharistic worship. Designed by Keith Moulsdale it includes a bell tower and stained glass windows along with an altar, candles and a chalice. Beth certainly sounds impressed! Mae’r eglwys fach yma yn ddelfrydol ar gyfer plant bach. Enw’r eglwys fach yma yw St Cynfarch bach,ar ol yr eglwys wreiddiol sef santes Fair a sant Cynfarch.
Llanasa Rovers crowned Quiz Kings 175 people from across the Deanery of St Asaph gathered for a quiz night at Rhyl Golf Club in February. Food was served before the quiz and there were so many people there that 30 teams ended up entering the competition. The questions were asked by quiz-master Canon Robert Rowlands and in the end the winners were the Llanasa Rovers who are pictured above with their trophy.
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Your News • Eich newyddion chi Service marks wartime air crash A special service has taken place at a farmhouse near Llansilin to mark the 70th anniversary of a wartime plane crash which killed five aircrew and a husband and wife on the ground.
In the early hours of 26 January 1943, a Wellington bomber on a training mission from RAF Harwell developed a technical fault and crashed on Bwlch Y Rhiw farmhouse. Sgt C Edwards, Sgt L C Muston, Sgt G G Otley, Sgt B L Parker and Sgt J S Todd were killed along with Mr Edwin and Mrs Annie Jane Williams who lived in the house. Their son Dan and daughter Nancy survived along with a Land Girl who was staying at the house. Dan suffered serious injuries after bravely rescuing Nancy and the Land Girl. On Saturday 26 January 2013 – seventy years after the event – a small group gathered at the farmhouse to lay a wreath beneath the plaque on the side of the house that commemorates the event. A short service was conducted by Llansilin’s Reader, Leigh Northcott-Hammond who spoke of the sacrifice made, not only by service personnel but also of the civilians inevitably caught up in conflict. The wreath was laid by Llew Ellis – one of
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the closest neighbours of the Williams family and who had been one of the first on the scene after the accident in 1943. The wreath is a new design created by the Oswestry branch of the Royal British Legion which will be used nationwide in November. Amongst those attending was Mrs Nancy Povey, née Williams, who survived the crash. Graham Moss, who with his wife Lynnette is the current owner of Bwlch Y Rhiw said: “Lynnette and I have lived here for nearly 15 years and we consider it to be, in many ways, a privilege. A privilege, not only in terms of the location, the view, the community, the wonderful family times we have enjoyed here but also because the house is a tangible reminder of the terrible events of seventy years ago.”
New noticeboard for Llangar Bob Clark and John Evans pictured hard at work putting up a new noticeboard outside the Church in Llangar near Corwen.
It means people in the village are now up to date with everything going on at St John the Evangelist Church.
New Kneelers for Welshpool Welshpool Flower Club donated money from a very successful flower festival held at St Mary's Church in Welshpool to purchase Altar kneelers for the Church.
Your News • Eich newyddion chi trip will help to develop the partnership as we head into the future.
These were completed by ladies of the Church before being blessed during a service at St Mary’s. The needlework was carried out by Sue Williams, Margaret Morris, Beryl Ellis, Judith Hope, Sarah Brown and Sian Williams.
New South West Tanganyika Trip Mike and Roz Harrison travel to South West Tanganyika on Sunday 7 April for a two month visit to our linked diocese. Roz (a retired head teacher) will be working with Sister Aneth in the church school in Njombe. Mike (retired Vicar of Ruabon and Wrexham) hopes to travel around the diocese to develop new friendships and discover how St Asaph’s donation of 26 motorbikes and 45 bicycles is working out in practice. Mike and Roz will be joined for a short time on the trip by Doctors Adrian and Hilary Murray from Bala who have a link with Milo Parish and the hospital there. After parishes and individuals responded generously to the Diocesan Appeal in 2011 following the visit by Bishop Stephen, this
Commenting on the trip, Mike said: “Our thoughts are that the link is firstly about friendship – how do we build links so that Christians in North Wales and South West Tanganyika know and understand more about each other? “The link is secondly about prayer. We should be constantly in each other’s prayers and this should reflect our growing understanding so that the names of parishes and people and real situations become the prayer focus. “Only thirdly is the link about money but we recognise there are significant needs in South West Tanganyika.” Mike and Roz would love to hear from parishes who would like to establish an ongoing link with a parish in South West Tanganyika. Please contact them via email mikeonorme@gmail.com
New SWT role for Canon John Our linked Diocese of South West Tanganyika has a new Diocesan Development Officer – and it’s a familiar face to us in St Asaph. Canon John Kwetu who visited north Wales in 2011 has been studying at Tumaini University. Upon his return to South West Tanganyika, Bishop John Simalenga appointed him to the post.
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He took up his new position in January.
Your News • Eich newyddion chi Canon John said: “This is the desk left vacant from 2007 despite many advertisements to cover the vacancy, so a lot is needed to rejuvenate the desk. Please pray for us as we always pray for you, remembering your hospitality and love."
Deeside Chaplain prepares for London Marathon A member of the Deeside College Chaplaincy Team is gearing up to run his 32nd marathon in April. Methodist Minister Revd Robin Fox is training for the London Marathon which he’s running in aid of the British Heart Foundation, Cymru. He will take his place next to hundreds of other runners for the event on Sunday 21 April. Robin has completed the famous London circuit three times in previous years and jumped at the opportunity to run the marathon again on behalf of the College and the British Heart Foundation, Cymru which is their adopted charity for the year. His running shoes are never hung up for long and alongside following a strict fitness programme to ensure he is able to complete the 26.2 miles, he has been busy working with staff and students from across the college to help raise his fundraising totals.
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Robin said: “I was delighted to be offered the chance yet again to run the London Marathon. The chaplaincy team are extremely proud of the link that we have with the Deeside College Group of Colleges and taking on this challenge on behalf of The British Heart Foundation is an honour.” Robin is a member of the Chaplaincy Team at Deeside alongside Revds Martin Batchelor, Alex Mayes and Sally Baird as well as Under 25’s Officer Tim Feak. To pledge support to Robin and the British Heart Foundation please visit www.justgiving.com/robininlondon
Children enjoy Cinderella Children from Gwersyllt enjoyed “Cinderella” after some generous donations helped to pay for their trip to the William Aston Hall in Wrexham.
The picture shows members of Holy Trinity’s Bible Club “Pebbles” and the Church Choir. We’re told “a good time was had by all”.
The French Connection A French display was mounted in the porch of St Melyd’s Church at the end of February. It was to mark their Women’s World Day of Prayer Service held on Friday 1 March.
Your News • Eich newyddion chi their world, then I don’t think the world of faith, of hope and of love and service should be excluded. “These are the substance of worship – and worship well done should amaze, invite and delight. These are things I would want for every child in Wales.”
Cheque presented to Offering recipients The theme of “Welcome a Stranger” was used to promote St Melyd’s project of giving aid to the Rhyl Night Shelter.
Bishop: Keep Collective Worship in Schools The importance of collective worship in schools was highlighted to politicians by Bishop Gregory in February after he was invited to the National Assembly to speak to the Cross Party Group on Faith. Clwyd West Assembly Member Darren Millar invited the Bishop to Cardiff to speak about the cause which is one close to his heart. Bishop Gregory has served as a school chaplain and been Director of an educational charity called the Bloxham Project. In Wales he is the Bishop with the portfolio for education and is keen for collective worship to have an active place in school life.
He said: “There is a big debate about the appropriateness of worship in today’s schools. Nevertheless, if education is about giving people the best chance to understand
Bishop Gregory has presented a cheque for £8,000 to Linda Griffiths of “Reactivate” – the charity who received the 2012 Diocesan Offering. Reactivate is the charitable arm of Bitesize Theatre Company based in Wrexham who take the power of performing arts into special needs schools.
The charity has already invested the donation, using it to take their pantomime “Aladdin” to schools across the Diocese from as far south as Newtown to as far north as Llandudno. Linda who is Chair of Reactivate was delighted to receive the donation and said: “The overall response of pupils, teachers and parents in the special schools who had a performance of Aladdin was overwhelmingly positive. Each school made a point of asking me to pass on their thanks to the Diocese.” In 2013 the Diocesan Offering will be for the Archbishop Rice Jones Charitable Trust which provides money to schools to purchase items for Religious Education and Collective Worship.
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Your News • Eich newyddion chi 10th anniversary of Parish Nursing Parish Nursing Ministries celebrates its 10th anniversary this year having been franchised to the UK from America in 2003. Sunday 19 May is Parish Nursing Sunday and Parish Nurse Amanda Berry from Wrexham would like congregations within the Diocese to remember in prayer Parish Nurses and their projects – not only within the United Kingdom but also throughout the world. Amanda said: “Please give thanks for the vision of Parish Nursing and for those who have worked so hard these past 25 years to make it a reality.”
The Journey of the Stone A huge stone has been dragged into place in the garden of St George Parish Church to house a sundial as a fitting memorial to former Church secretary Michael de Sallis.
Mike from across the road to move the stone into place. A slate sundial has now been ordered to finish the job. The Vicar of St George, Revd Kate Johnson said: “It is a story of a typical village effort, in a spontaneous moment to accomplish a beautiful memorial in the church garden.” Meanwhile these beautiful tapestries were created by the St George banner group. They hang behind the High Altar at the Church to help enhance the worship experience for parishioners.
Kate looks after Cytun Revd Kate Johnson is now the President of the Abergele Cytun. During a recent dinner in the town the Vicar of Abergele and St George was installed to the role.
The PCC at the Parish of St George were given the stone for free on one condition – that they could move it themselves from St George Quarry to the Church! It was taken by tractor from the Quarry and heaved over the wall with a sling before being manhandled into position. Henry Morgan and Dave “the bread” Roberts were joined by Steven Roberts and
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The picture shows Kate with Bishop Gregory and other members of Cytun at the ecumenical dinner where the Bishop was the guest speaker. Cytun is the name of the Churches Together in Wales movement.
Holocaust victims remembered by schools Children from Prestatyn High School joined others from Blessed Edward Jones in Rhyl and Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph to mark 2013’s Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) at Rhyl Town Hall. Joining the schools was a small local group called Friends of HMD (North East Wales) who have commemorated the anniversary in Rhyl for the last four years. Holocaust Memorial Day marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland in January 1945 by Soviet forces. More than a million Jewish people and other nationalities were murdered by the Nazis in this one camp alone. Charles Leach from Friends of HMD (North East Wales) said: “Holocaust Memorial Day provides an opportunity for everyone to learn lessons from the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides and apply these issues to the present day in a serious attempt to create a safer and better future for all. “HMD is also a call for remembrance, peace and reconciliation.” Members of the Jewish community in North Wales joined the schoolchildren for the commemoration along with Revd John Harvey, Vicar of Meliden and Father Charles of St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. The programme was led by
Friends of HMD President, Maurice Landsman assisted by students of Prestatyn High School who lit the six memorial candles. Prestatyn students related some poignant details of a 2012 school trip to Auschwitz and Poland. The Jewish Memorial Prayer (Kaddish) was read by Maurice Landsman and – for what is believed to be the first time ever – the Kaddish was read in Welsh.
School’s Welsh celebrations Pupils at Ysgol Trefnant had a busy week in the run up to St David’s Day. Year 6 pupil Eleanor was winner of the Chair at their school Eisteddfod for her poem “A Special Wales”. As part of the celebrations, children displayed their art work, handwriting, poetry and costumes with all the winners receiving certificates for their hard work. Meanwhile Bishop’s Visitor Gareth Williams told the children the story of St David during school assembly. Pupils and staff sold daffodils to raise money for improvements to the school playground and school library while rehearsals also took place for the Urdd Eisteddfod in Denbigh.
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Organ Recital – Philip Rushworth. Saturday 13 April, 7.30pm at St Mary's Church, Minera to celebrate the centenary of the commissioning of the church organ. This will replicate a recital given by the then organist at Chester Cathedral when the Minera organ was first installed. St Giles' Chamber Music Festival – at St Giles' Church, Wrexham, Friday 19 April, 3.00pm Tom Bowes plays Bach's solo violin works (Bach concert 1) Friday 19 April, 7.30pm Chester Bach Singers Saturday 20 April, 7.30pm Cambrian Chamber Orchestra Sunday 21 April at 3.00pm Tom Bowes plays Bach's solo violin works (Bach concert 2) High Teas, Canapes, Wine and Lunches all available. Tickets £8 per concert or £25 for all four. Under 16s free. Tickets from St Giles' Church, or on the door. Contact Jacqui Blore on 01978 355808 ext 205 or email stgilesrecenre@gmail.com Hermitage Ensemble Concert – This Russian Orthodox Male Voice Choir from St Petersberg will perform two concerts at Llanelidan Church, Ruthin on Saturday 20 April, 4.30pm
7.00pm. Tickets priced from £8 - £15 from 01824 750288. Comedy Night – with headliner Patrick Monahan. Llangollen Pavilion on Saturday 20 April. Tickets £10 and available from Sian Connelly on 01745 532582. St Kentigern's Hospice Concert – the East of England Singers will perform at St Asaph Cathedral on Saturday 4 May at 7.30pm. Tickets £5. Year of Pilgrimage – A launch service will take place at St Asaph Cathedral on Sunday 5 May at 3.30pm. It would be great to see as many churches represented as possible! Mold Choral Society perform Elijah by Mendelssohn – Bethesda Chapel, Mold. Saturday 11 May, 7.30pm. Conductor: Trytan Lewis, Organ: Graham Eccles, Soprano: Kate Griffiths, Alto: Ann Davies Roberts, Tenor: Robin Lyn Evans and Bass: Eric Roberts. Tickets £12 from 01352 754727 or on the door. Cor Meibion Maelgwn Male Voice Choir – Conductor Trystan Lewis. All Saints Church, Deganwy on Friday 17 May, 7.30pm. Tickets £7 and information from 01492 583420.
Teulu Asaph - Sharing Good News with the Family of the Diocese Editor: Phil Topham, Diocesan Communication Officer Diocesan Office, High Street, St. Asaph LL17 0RD 01745 582245 comms.stasaph@churchinwales.org.uk What is your good news? Let us know what is happening in your parish or deanery. Interesting photographs and short articles particularly welcome. Croesewir unrhyw erthyglau ynglyn a digwyddiadau eglwysig yn Gymraeg. Gellir cynnwys crynodeb byr o'r erthygl, na ddylai fod yn fwy na 250 o eriau, yn Saesneg. Diolch yn fawr. Deadlines: June/July edition: 3 May August/Sept edition: 5 July Teulu Asaph is designed by A R Doe graphics. www.ardoe.co.uk
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